Hebrews 2 | The Eternal High Priest: Jesus’ Role in Our Salvation

What does Hebrews 2 teach about Jesus as the high priest?
Why is Jesus described as being made "lower than the angels"?
What is the warning in Hebrews 2:1-4?

Hebrews 2 unveils the magnificence of Jesus as the ultimate mediator and high priest. Building on the previous chapter's assertion of Jesus’ superiority over angels, this chapter emphasizes His humanity, deity, and His redemptive mission. 

The chapter explores how Jesus, although God, willingly became lower than angels to take on humanity, fully experiencing life’s trials and temptations without sin. Through His suffering and death, Jesus tasted death for everyone, making salvation accessible to all who believe.

Hebrews 2 also contrasts the temporary, symbolic rituals of the Old Testament with Jesus' perfect and eternal sacrifice. His actions fulfill and surpass the Jewish traditions, urging believers to move beyond spiritual sluggishness and grow in maturity. The chapter showcases Jesus’ unparalleled love and sacrifice, highlighting how His victory over death has freed believers from fear and lifelong bondage. This truth not only strengthens the original audience but also encourages modern readers to remain steadfast in faith.

The concluding verses remind readers that Jesus is the ultimate high priest who understands our weaknesses and intercedes on our behalf. This depiction of Christ as both God and man resonates deeply with the audience, emphasizing His empathy and divine authority. Hebrews 2 reassures believers that they are not alone in their struggles—Jesus walks with them, offering grace and guidance through every trial.

This chapter calls for an intentional commitment to faith, urging believers to pay close attention to their walk with God. The message of Hebrews 2 inspires awe at the extent of Jesus' sacrifice while challenging believers to live in light of His love and redemption. His role as Savior, mediator, and eternal high priest offers a profound hope for all who trust in Him.

#JesusChrist #BibleStudy #ChristianFaith #GodsPlan #Salvation #Hebrews2 #DailyBibleReading #NewTestamentJourney #HighPriestJesus #ChapterADayFaith

Transcript

 Hebrews 2

Hebrews 2

[00:00:00] Hey everyone, welcome to God's Plan, Your Part, Year Two, where this year we're reading through and studying the entire New Testament one chapter at a time. Thanks again for joining us in discovering God's plan and your part in it. Today we are diving into Hebrews chapter two, the author of Hebrews, which we said before, we're not quite sure who that is.

is going to build on the case that Jesus is much greater than any angel you've ever heard of. Now he's going to draw attention to the fact that, that Jesus really is, uh, the best possible mediator we could ever have, kind of closing chapter two by saying he is our great high priest. But there's a lot that's going to happen between verse one and verse, uh, whatever the 18.

Um, there's a lot in this chapter. So I was not, regrettably, I was not on the episode last time. However, I feel like it's worth saying, as I was looking over today's chapter, listening to it being read, um, I realized there are going to be several warnings throughout this book, and the first warning [00:01:00] happens in this chapter.

And Call me dumb. I don't know. You can go for it. But this book was written to the Hebrews and I think that that just kind of like smacked me in the face in it like Duh, of course, but I'm like, I'm so used to in the books that we've been reading. There's a specific audience that's called out in the name of the book and I think it's so cool that whoever this author was They're writing to the Hebrew people who are, like, I guess, more accustomed to falling away to certain things, or maybe they're not accustomed.

They're like, um, they're more easily going to fall to some of these, these warnings. Well, just to give a little bit more context and a little bit more clarity, um, it is most likely written to, um, Jewish believing Christians. So people who are following Christ that come from a Jewish background, Hebrew background, and the reason that they would be more easily tempted to fall into this stuff is because it's literally their history and their [00:02:00] tradition and their culture.

So the idea is that Jesus is the fulfillment and fruition of that. Tradition and culture, not a distraction from that tradition and culture. It's actually like a more holistic view in, in like a more complete thing that God has done, like God was kind of doing things in phases and Jesus is the ultimate phase that ushers in the Holy spirit.

You can actually see that happening, uh, in the opening verses. I know you want to talk about this warning piece at the top of the chapter, right? You want to dive into that a little bit? I was just going to say, just like with that lens, like you were just talking about, like we were just talking about.

With that lens, these warnings make a lot of sense. It applies to them very much. Um, and I think, reminding them, I said two things for myself for this chapter was like reminding them of who Jesus is. Right. And just kind of like taking a reality check of like, this is who he is. Be careful, don't fall into this stuff knowing who he is.

So I was reading over some commentaries as we dive into these couple of verses. Uh, there is one of the first warning passages. And I [00:03:00] told you guys in the last episode that there's a lot of warning passages in Hebrews. People have a hard time kind of understanding, um, what they mean. There's some controversy around them.

Um, but if you look at verse 3, How shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, most likely referencing the Ten Commandments, and it was attested to us by those who heard, which could be the ancient Israelites, it could be the prophets, um, while various miracles and Uh, sorry, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit, most likely those signs and wonders are bringing us up into kind of the New Testament period, and certainly the Holy Spirit is bringing us into that New Testament period.

So the author is already kind of reaching back into their cultural past and saying, hey, like. This salvation was first declared by God himself. And now people that knew about that have been declaring it. Now you see God showing it through signs and wonders. And ultimately we see the fruit of the Holy spirit [00:04:00] here showing up and we know it's God at work.

Don't neglect God at work. Don't neglect this salvation because, and this is kind of my, um, the nuance take I'll take on these. warning passages. If you neglect this salvation that is being offered, it is the only salvation that is being offered. So if you neglect it and reject it and head towards something else, you will ultimately be rejected because you have rejected the truth.

So there's a lot of ways you can dig into these passages. warning passages. There's some salvation issues. We can dig out of them if you want to. If you want to go do a deep dive, you should probably do it from a Hebrew scholar or something. Um, but in the simplest form, the author is saying, like, if you reject this salvation that is being offered, There is no other option.

There's, there's no plan B. So if you reject this, you're, you're in trouble because you've turned your back on God. Yeah. And I think what's also interesting coming into this as well is there are two things that were used or two phrases, [00:05:00] words used to describe this audience that I was reading for chapter two, um, is that The author is dealing with an immature audience like immature in their faith As well as a like they are like marked by spiritual sluggishness And to that like when I heard that I was like, oh my those two types of people those two types of qualities lend themselves so much to these kinds of things like if you if you're not taking your Your health seriously, you're going to end up being a sluggish person if you don't take your spiritual health seriously Seriously, you're going to be sluggish in your faith.

So I was, I don't know, that was kind of interesting to me as well, but coming off of that warning, I think we kind of go into more of that descriptor of who Jesus is. And I think he's giving them like a couple like nudges of like, Hey guys, wake up. Jesus is these things. He has overcome all of these things.

He is superior to all of these things that could potentially be making you sluggish or want to go [00:06:00] back to what was. And he's building a strong case on what he's done in chapter one. He's going to continue to build this strong case as he goes throughout the book. Um, he starts to hit this crescendo probably in verse nine, but we see him who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death so that by the grace of God, he might taste death for everyone.

So this should already get our attention. Uh, the author is saying that That for a little while he was made lower than the angels. Well, how was God made lower than the angels? He became a man, right? And then he talks about, he, he tasted death, um, because of the suffering of death. So the, by the grace of God, he might taste death for everyone.

There's something unique about this death that Jesus tasted in that it does occur. For everyone. So Jesus gives everyone the opportunity to be free from death because he has tasted death in their place. So the original audience and by extension, us today, it should get our attention that [00:07:00] this case is starting to be developed and it's starting to build because now we started out in chapter one with the author saying, Hey, Jesus is greater than angels.

Now he's going to say, Hey, Jesus was made lower. That's he became humanity. Then he tasted death for all mankind. We, we, um, can experience freedom because he experienced death. So this is starting to build and become something significant. I really do like that too. Um, I liked the, the wording of the commentary that says he is the eternal high priest.

Even our study Bible mentions that because he was able to sympathize with us in our weakness, um, and continues to offer himself throughout. All history, all time, past, present, future. He is the eternal high priest. So like, it's almost like this gift is almost too good to be true. Like, how could you even think about rejecting this?

Amazing gift of who Jesus is like he took himself out of his, you know, his perfect state and became this [00:08:00] man. Um, perfect as in like in heaven and came to earth to be with us, these imperfect people that don't deserve it. Um, this, this author is reminding them like, this is who Jesus is. Why would you turn away from him?

Why would you push him aside? Why would you forget about him? So he's going to continue to strengthen this case. I'm going to pick up in verse 14. Since, therefore, the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through faith through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

So now, not only do we see that Jesus is experiencing death. Now we see that because he experienced death, he has some kind of power that he can extend to all of us that gives all of us some, something that we did not have prior to that, which is interesting because he is superior to the angels, to Moses, to the covenant, to the tabernacle, to the priesthood, all of those things that [00:09:00] they wrapped up in.

That's all the Hebrew stuff. Yeah, those could not do that for the people. Jesus can. So it's really, really cool how he's just, he's like really driving that home. Like Jesus is the only one who could do this. Um, verse 16 for surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham who are pop quiz, who are the offspring of Abraham?

Um, a lot of times it's, It's the Hebrew people, right? Like the Hebrew people see themselves as the offspring of Abraham. What's interesting is that Jesus makes the case that, that, um, God can raise up any offspring of Abraham he wants. Jesus at one point made the case that, uh, if God wants rocks to be the offspring of Abraham, he can do that.

So the, the true offspring of Abraham are the people who are children of the promise, those who believe God and do what he has asked us to do. That case is made in some of Paul's letters. I would say that case is made by Jesus during his ministry. Certainly it [00:10:00] includes Jewish people that are believers in Christ.

It does not exclude them. Um, but just simply being. Just like having relatives that are Abraham's relatives does not make you the offspring of Abraham. So this is saying, um, for surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. He helps those who believe that he is the promise and fulfills the promise.

And we have, um, faith and right relationship with God through the, the life and work and ministry and sacrifice of Abraham. of Jesus. Um, verse 17. Therefore, he had to be made like his brothers in every respect. That is, he became completely human like us so that he might become merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God to make propitiation for the sins of the people.

So that's what He's not some removed high priest representative. He is a high priest who knows what it's like to be us. He knows what it's like to deal with the things that we deal with. And so he can relate to us [00:11:00] and have compassion for us, empathy with us. Um, and, and ultimately represent us well and care for as well.

It's just kind of like a brush up of like Salvation 101. It is. Yeah, it is. And it's, it, you can see just through the language and the imagery that it's purposely pointed at people from a Jewish background because it's resonating with things that they're familiar with. They know what a high priest is.

They know what a high priest job is. It is somewhat scandalous to say that Jesus is greater than the high priest, which is going to come very soon. Um, that, that word propitiation, just to flesh it out, it is basically Uh, calling out the fact that Jesus, uh, as the great high priest has the ability to not only cancel sin, but make the atonement that is necessary for that sin.

So when we put our faith and trust in Jesus, the sacrifice of Jesus, the fact that he, um, lived, died, rose again, uh, gives us the opportunity, the ability, um, to, uh, Essentially [00:12:00] like satisfy the wrath of God that is against us through Christ. Christ satisfies that wrath and makes atonement for that sin.

We're not guilty of that sin anymore. So now we can have right relationship with God because nothing's been held against us. The ultimate sacrifice has been lifted up. And that's what a high priest does. A high priest represents the people, offers the sacrifices on behalf of the people and cleanses the sins of the people.

So Jesus is that ultimate high priest. So I think this chapter is definitely like we said earlier, a reminder These people who are hearing this writing for the Hebrews. I think it's a really good reminder for us today. Um, just to think about the severity of what Jesus mission was, what he had to actually do.

Um, and it just kind of, I don't know, it, it gives me like a nice little refresh of the sacrifice, the ultimate sacrifice and the eternal sacrifice that Jesus made on behalf of every single one of us all throughout history, all throughout humanity. And so I think it's just like a, a nice reminder, even for me on, uh, On this side of [00:13:00] things, just to understand who he is and what he's done for us.

I get really excited. Um, any, anytime certain aspects of Jesus are like flashed, fleshed out really well. Uh, this book of Hebrews is going to be an incredible fleshing out of Jesus. Book like the whole thing. Um, but I'm really encouraged, um, today in chapter two by. The humanness of Jesus, like the fact that he really did experience the emotions that we experience.

Uh, he went through the challenges that we go through and yet he did not sin. That's what makes him so unique. And that's pointed out in the final, the final verse of the chapter. Um, but we're not like, we don't. worship and have relationship with a God who is far away and removed from us and does not care about us or relate to us.

We actually serve a God who became a man, who took on flesh, who dealt with the things that we deal with. In fact, he so much took on the things that we deal with. That he was a baby. There, there [00:14:00] was a time when Jesus was a tiny little baby. There was a time when Jesus was a tiny little child. There was a time when Jesus was a teenager.

Like he went through all the stages. He did all the things and he relates to us. That's encouraging to me. Um, because you know, sometimes we can feel like our, um, emotions or our thoughts or the things that we deal with, like just aren't significant enough for God to care about or that they're unique to only us or they're unique to only us.

Yeah, for sure. He has. Sympathize with every weakness and I don't want to take that to like extremes. Like where it's just like, Oh man, Jesus is just like our bro. And our, our, like our, I like to say like, Jesus is like a slobbering boyfriend. Like it's just weird. That stuff is weird, but Jesus knows us and cares for us in a significant fashion, far above any of these made up gods that you have to satisfy with gifts or statues or idols.

Like that's not what God is like. And all that other stuff is just like a, uh, Like a really bad counterfeit. And so to me, I'm [00:15:00] just encouraged by the fact that Jesus knows me and cares for me and wants to help me. Like, how incredible is it that God's not against you? Uh, there's been a lot of times in my life where that was a significant message to me that God did not.

God did not put you where you are, um, just to watch you and be like, ha. I knew you couldn't do it. Like God brought you to where you are. He's going to continue to care for you in this situation that you're in. If you continue to pay attention to him and seek his wisdom, it's always very tempting, um, to go to God last or go to God when you're in a disaster, but God has brought you to where you are.

He can care for you where you are and he can keep you moving in the direction he wants you to move. And if you do that, God works together, um, in all things for the good of those who love him. So it's not a guarantee that everything will be perfect. And. Sunny and great, but it is a promise that God will be with us and care for us and bring us through challenging things.

So really that's your part for today. Just be encouraged in the fact that God loves you, God cares for you, keep your eyes on Him, keep serving Him, and ask Him for wisdom, and ask Him for [00:16:00] direction, and seek Him for discernment in whatever it is that you are dealing with today. It could be that things are going really well.

Great, ask him for direction. Could be things are really hard. Great, ask him for direction. And remember verse 18, for because he himself has suffered and was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. So in any way that you feel that you are struggling, you're being tempted, you're like, like let down, he has experienced all those things and knows exactly what you're going through.

Right. So lean on him, not yourself. There you go. We'll be back again tomorrow with Hebrews chapter three. We'll see you then. Thanks for listening to today's episode. Before we get to the reading, I want to recommend another podcast that I'm a part of called God's Whole Story. This year, we're releasing one episode a week on Monday mornings, overviewing one book of the Bible each week.

So God's Plan Your Part is a deep dive, chapter by chapter, where God's whole story is taking it one book at a time. If you enjoy this podcast, you'll enjoy that one. Go check it out. Now, here's the reading. [00:17:00] Hebrews, chapter 2 Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.

For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? It was declared at first by the Lord, and it was attested to us by those who heard, while God also bore witness by signs and wonders and various miracles, and by gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to His will.

For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. It has been testified somewhere, What is man that you are mindful of him? Or the Son of Man that you care for Him. You made Him for a little while lower than the angels. You have crowned Him with glory and honor, putting everything in subjection under His feet.

Now in putting everything in subjection to Him, He left nothing outside His control. [00:18:00] At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to Him. But we shall see Him, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, namely Jesus, Jesus. Crowned with glory and honor because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.

For it was fitting that He, for whom and by whom all things exist, in bringing many sons to glory, should make the founder of their salvation perfect through suffering. For He who sanctifies, and those who are sanctified, all have one source. That is why he is not ashamed to call them brothers, saying, I will tell of your name to my brothers.

In the midst of the congregation I will sing your praise. And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, behold, I and the children God has given me. Since, therefore, the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death that is the devil, [00:19:00] and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. Therefore, he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become merciful and faithful high priest, in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For because he himself has suffered when tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted.

Thank you so much for listening to today's episode of God's plan. Your part. Don't forget. You can find us on just about every social media platform and YouTube. Let us know what you thought of today's episode. And if you have any questions, go ahead and post them there. You can also reach out to us directly at God's plan.

Your part at gmail. com as always. If you don't have a Bible, or if you'd like to use the one that we use, uh, reach out to us via email and we'll be happy to send one to you. Thanks again for listening. We'll see you again [00:20:00] tomorrow.